Watchdog circuit, power ic and watchdog monitor system

ABSTRACT

A watchdog timer circuit for use in microcomputer monitor systems is disclosed. This circuit includes a timer circuit responsive to receipt of a count clock signal for counting it up, and a timer control circuit which loads an externally inputted data signal (stn) in sync with a timer refresh instruction (prun) and holds therein a sequentially loaded latest multi-bit data signal as reference data. When the reference data agrees with a predefined pattern and simultaneously another prespecified condition is met, the timer control circuit interrupts the clock signal counting operation of the timer circuit. During interruption of the counting operation, when the reference data does not agree with the predefined pattern or when the above-stated another prespecified condition becomes unsatisfied, the control circuit allows the timer circuit to restart the clock signal counting operation.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application claims priorities from Japanese applicationsJP2012-019844 filed on Feb. 1, 2012 and JP2012-212291 filed on Sep. 26,2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference intothis application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to watchdog timer circuitry, powerintegrated circuit (IC) devices and watchdog monitor systems using thesame. For example, this invention relates to a technique effectivelyused in electronic control units (ECUs) for motor vehicles.

A watchdog timer (WDT) is used as a mechanism to detect improperoperations due to runaway of a software program running on amicrocomputer. More specifically, when the program is normally runningon the microcomputer, the WDT is repeatedly initialized a timer countvalue before a time-out occurs by the microcomputer's operation. Uponoccurrence of abnormality due to the runaway or else, the microcomputerdoes not perform such periodical timer count value initializationoperation. In responding to the timeout, the WDT generates areset-inducing signal and supplies it to the microcomputer.

The microcomputer has a low power consumption mode, such as a stand-bymode, in which is stopped a command executing operation performed by acentral processing unit (CPU). Accordingly, in a system having itsmicrocomputer with WDT externally attached thereto, even when themicrocomputer is set in the low power consumption mode, themicrocomputer is reset in each event if the timer counter's timeout isnot suppressed, making it impossible to realize any low powerconsumption. Then, the WDT's operation is interrupted in the low powerconsumption state of the microcomputer whereby it will no longer happenthat reset is instructed every time the timer counter experiences itstimeout. In addition, it is no longer required to perform in each eventthe processing for initialization of the timer counter's count value byreleasing the low power consumption state of the microcomputer justbefore the timeout of the timer counter. For example, JP-A-2003-300438discloses therein a technique for causing a CPU to deactivate a watchdogIC having a watchdog timer in responding to turn-off of an ignitionswitch of motor vehicle and for preventing a reset signal from beingoutput to the CPU. In such case, this document takes into considerationthe following fact: with mere use of the watchdog timer circuit formonitoring the CPU operation by means of an active signal to be inputfrom the CPU, once the watchdog timer is deactivated due to the CPU'srunaway, the CPU is unable to make the watchdog timer circuit activewhile at the same time losing the reset functionality with respect tothe CPU. In view of this, JP-A-2003-300438 proposes to employ thefunction of forcibly activating the watchdog timer when communication isperformed by a communication interface and even when the ignition switchis driven to turn on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A study has been conducted as to reliability improvement and low powerconsumption of a system using watchdog timer circuitry. From a viewpointof low power consumption, it is desirable to interrupt the timer countoperation of the watchdog timer circuit in the microcomputer's low powerconsumption state; however, when the operation of watchdog timer circuitis interrupted by error, it is no longer possible to maintain thereliability of the system. It is thus needed to provide a technique forpreventing the watchdog timer circuit from retaining itsoperation-stopped state accidentally. JP-A-2003-300438 fails to takeaccount of this point.

Additionally, JP-A-2003-300438 discloses therein a technique forperforming recovery in response to an ignition switch manipulationand/or communication interface operation as a recovery method for use inevents of unintentional interruption occurring due to noise or runawayin cases where the watchdog timer circuit is stoppable andoperation-restartable under the control of CPU. However, this documentis silent about an approach which follows: even when the watchdog timercircuit's timer count operation is interrupted due to the CPU's runaway,it is ensured that the watchdog timer circuit instantly restarts itstime count operation to thereby go into a reset-instructable state.

It is therefore an object of this invention to prevent the watchdogtimer circuit from halting unwantedly and also to make it possible, evenupon occurrence of such unwanted deactivation, to detect this event andenable the watchdog timer circuit to quickly recover to its operablestate without difficulty.

This and other objects, new features and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description ofcurrently preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

A brief summary of a representative one of the means for attaining theobject of the invention disclosed herein is as follows.

Circuitry incorporating principles of this invention is arranged to havea timer circuit responsive to receipt of a count clock signal forcounting it up, and a timer control circuit for loading or “importing”an externally inputted data signal in sync with a timer refreshinstruction, for holding therein a sequentially loaded latest multi-bitdata signal as reference data, for inhibiting a count clock signalcounting operation of the timer circuit when the reference data isidentical with a predefined pattern and simultaneously anotherprespecified condition is satisfied, and for permitting restart of theclock signal counting operation of the timer circuit when the referencedata becomes non-identical with the predefined pattern or alternativelywhen the aforementioned another prespecified condition becomesunsatisfied while the counting operation is being inhibited.

An advantage obtainable by the representative one of the means forattaining the object of this invention disclosed herein is as follows.

It is possible to prevent the watchdog timer circuit from haltingunwantedly and also to enable, even upon occurrence of such unwantedrundown, detection of this event to thereby ensure that the watchdogtimer circuit is able to readily and quickly recover to its operablestate.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary circuit configuration ofa watchdog monitor system in accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a powerIC included in the watchdog monitor system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a logic circuit diagram showing one example of a patternmatching circuit included in the power IC of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart exemplarily showing operation interruption andrestart timings of a watchdog timer circuit.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart exemplarily showing an operation for generationof a reset instruction signal “resd” in a runaway state of CPU.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another example of the patternmatching circuit.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart exemplifying deactivation and restart operationtimings of a watchdog timer circuit employing the pattern matchingcircuit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the watchdog timermonitor system.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart exemplifying deactivation and restart operationtimings of a watchdog timer circuit in the watchdog monitor system ofFIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 1. Embodiment Summary

An explanation will first be given of a summary of representativeembodiments of the invention as disclosed herein. It should be notedthat reference signs placed between parentheses in the following summaryof representative embodiments are merely for exemplification of onesinvolved in the concepts of constituent elements designated thereby.

-   (1) <Stop/Restart Control of Timer Count Operation in Response to    Signal Input Pattern Sent in Sync With Timer Refresh Instruction>

A watchdog timer circuit (40, 40A) in accordance with one representativeembodiment of this invention is arranged to serially load and holdtherein a data signal (stn) from an external terminal (PRUN) insynchronization with a timer refresh instruction (prun), while letting astate in which the latest multiple-bit data signal held therein isidentical with a predefined pattern be a necessary condition forinterruption of a timer count operation, and letting a state in whichthe identical state is changed due to subsequent loading of a datasignal from the external terminal in sync with the timer refreshinstruction be a sufficient condition for restart of the timer countoperation.

With such the arrangement, concordance of two or more bits is requiredfor consonance of a pattern used to stop the timer count operation; so,the watchdog timer circuit is no longer easily rendered inoperative.Further, even when the concordance of a multi-bit data signal with apredefined pattern due to runaway of CPU or like malfunctions results inthe timer count operation being stopped accidentally, it is assumablethat if the same CPU's obstruction such as the runaway continues then astate will appear soon afterward in which the multi-bit data signalbeing held is changed in at least one bit thereof whereby it is possibleto detect any accidentally occurred operation interruption so that it ispossible to force the erroneously deactivated watchdog timer circuit toinstantly recover to its operable state without difficulty. In short,the watchdog timer circuit offers advantages which follow: its operationis hardly stopped by error; even when the operation is stoppederroneously, the circuit is made easier to quickly recover to itsoperable state.

-   (2) <Stop/Restart Control of Timer Count Operation Responsive to    Signal Input Pattern Sent in Sync With Timer Refresh Instruction>

A watchdog timer circuit (40, 40A) in accordance with the representativeembodiment has a timer circuit (30) which counts a count clock signal(CCK) from its initial value to provide a count value—this value isinitialized based on a timer refresh instruction (prun) to be externallyinput thereto—and generates a reset instruction (wdres) when the countvalue reaches a time-out value. The circuit further has a timer controlcircuit (20) for loading or “importing” a predetermined data signal(stn) to be externally input thereto in sync with the timer refreshinstruction, for holding therein the sequentially loaded multi-bit datasignal as reference data, for inhibiting a count clock signal countingoperation to be performed by the timer circuit when the reference databeing held therein is identical with a predefined pattern andsimultaneously another prespecified condition is satisfied, and forrestarting the count clock signal counting operation of the timercircuit when the reference data being held becomes non-identical withthe predefined pattern or when the aforementioned another predefinedcondition becomes unsatisfied while the counting operation is beinginhibited.

With this arrangement, the operation of the watchdog timer circuit isstopped only when the latest reference data that was externally importedwith the timer refresh instruction being as a clock becomes consonantwith the predefined pattern and, at the same time, the anotherpredefined condition is met. As concordance of multiple bits is strictlyrequired for the pattern matching, the watchdog timer circuit is hardlydeactivated by error. Furthermore, when the watchdog timer circuit isdeactivated as a result of unwanted concordance of the reference datawith the predefined pattern due to the CPU's runaway or the like, it ispossible to cause the watchdog timer circuit to quickly recover to itsoperable state without difficulty. This can be said because a state inwhich the latest reference data is different from the predefined patternin at least one bit or more will easily appear due to the CPU's runawayor else.

-   (3) <Pattern Matching Circuit>

In Section 2, the timer control circuit has a shift register (SFTREG) ofmultiple bits (60-63), which latches the above-stated predetermined datasignal while letting the timer refresh instruction be its latch timing,and a logic gate circuit (64) for inputting the multiple-bit latch dataof the shift register as the reference data and for determining whetherits input data is consonant with the above-stated predefined pattern.

With this arrangement, it is possible to achieve by a simplified circuitconfiguration the circuitry for pattern comparison with respect to thereference data.

-   (4) <EXOR>

In Section 2 or 3, when the predefined pattern is set to be a patternwhich is not the same in every bit of the multiple bits, the timercontrol circuit further has a logic gate (65) for detecting that thepredetermined data signal has the same logical value in a string ofconsecutive bits corresponding to the multiple bits and for generating areset instruction.

With this arrangement, when assuming a refresh operation of the watchdogtimer circuit which is different from the normal processing due torunaway or else, it is possible to cope with the microcomputer'sabnormal refresh instruction-accompanied runaway in light of the factthat the predetermined data signal has a high degree of possibility forhaving the same logical value in succession due to such abnormality.

-   (5) <Power IC>

A power IC (1) in accordance with another embodiment of this inventionhas the watchdog timer circuit (40, 40A) as set forth in Section 2 andis formed on a semiconductor substrate. This power IC has a power supplycircuit (10) which is operatively responsive to receipt of an externalpower supply voltage for generating a predetermined operation powersupply voltage, and a reset circuit (50) which outputs an external resetsignal (resb) in response to receipt of either a power-on resetinstruction concerning the power supply voltage being output from thepower supply circuit or the reset instruction (wdres) due to time-out ofthe timer circuit (30) of the watchdog timer circuit. The power ICfurther has a first external terminal (PRUN) for inputting from theoutside of the power IC a control signal (prun) used for the timerrefresh instruction, a second external terminal (RESB) for outputtingthe external reset signal (resb) to the outside of the power IC, and athird external terminal (STN) for inputting the data signal (stn)externally from the power IC. Furthermore, it has a fourth externalterminal (VOUT) for outputting the predetermined operation power supplyvoltage (vout) to the outside of the power IC and a fifth externalterminal (IG) for inputting other instructions from outside of the powerIC.

With this arrangement, it is possible to realize a power IC capable ofpreventing the watchdog timer circuit from being deactivatedaccidentally and also capable of forcing, even when such erroneousdeactivation occurs, the watchdog timer circuit to quickly recover toits operable state without difficulty.

-   (6) <Watchdog Monitor System>

A watchdog monitor system in accordance with still another embodimenthas the power IC (1) as set forth in Section 5, a microcomputer (2) thatis connected to first to fourth external terminals of the power IC, anda switch circuit (3) for outputting to the fifth external terminal asignal depending on a present switch state. The microcomputer executes alow power consumption command to thereby give the first externalterminal (PRUN) a clock change corresponding to a bit number of thereference data, supplies the third external terminal (STN) with a datasignal (stn) corresponding to the predefined pattern in sync with theclock change and thereafter goes into a low power consumption state. Thetimer control circuit (20) causes the timer circuit to stop its timercount operation on condition that an input (ig) to the fifth externalterminal (IG) indicates that the switch circuit is presently in aswitch-off state.

With this arrangement, the microcomputer supplies the predetermined datasignal to the third external terminal in sync with a clock change beinggiven to the first external terminal immediately prior to execution ofthe low power consumption command and; thereafter, the microcomputer isallowed to go into its low power consumption state. The watchdog timercircuit holds therein the reference data and is able to stop the timercount operation if it is ascertained that another condition(s) is/aremet.

-   (7) <Restart of Timer Count Operation>

In Section 5, the timer control circuit restarts the timer countoperation of the timer circuit when the input to the fifth externalterminal changes from the turn-off state to turn-on state of the switchcircuit or when the reference data becomes inconsonant with thepredefined pattern after having supplied a data signal to the thirdexternal terminal in sync with a clock change that is given by themicrocomputer to the first external terminal.

With this arrangement, it is possible to achieve monitoring or“surveillance” using the watchdog timer circuit owing to themicrocomputer's recovery from the low power consumption state to normalstate to thereby supply the data signal to the third external terminalin sync with the clock change being given to the first external terminalby itself. Achievement of the monitoring using the watchdog timercircuit is also enabled by turn-on of the switch circuit, which ismanipulated without regard to the low power consumption state of themicrocomputer.

-   (8) <Operation Power Supply Control in Standby and Sleep Modes>

In Section 7, the microcomputer has its low power consumption statewhich is either a first low power consumption state (i.e., sleep state)in which the feeding of the power supply voltage is stopped or a secondlow power consumption state (standby state) in which at least a centralprocessing device is deactivated while maintaining the power supplyvoltage feeding. When going into the first low power consumption state,the microcomputer supplies a sixth external terminal of the power ICwith a signal for instruction of supply stop of the operation powersupply voltage. The power IC stops outputting of the operation powersupply voltage on condition that there are both of an instruction forsupply stop of the operation power supply voltage to the sixth externalterminal (INH) and an instruction for supply stop of the operation powersupply voltage to the fifth external terminal (IG), and restartsoutputting of the operation power supply voltage in response toquittance of any one of these instructions.

With this arrangement, the switch circuit is turned off and,simultaneously, the microcomputer executes the low power consumptioncommand to thereby interrupt the count-up operation of the timer counterof the watchdog timer circuit and, finally, instructs to stop thefeeding of the operation power supply voltage, thereby causing themicrocomputer to go into the first low power consumption state. When theswitch circuit is turned on, the timer count-up operation of the timercounter of the watchdog timer circuit gets restarted. Accordingly, thewatchdog timer circuit's monitoring functionality is guaranteed for themicrocomputer whose second low power consumption state has been releaseddue to the occurrence of a certain event. In addition, turn-on of theswitch circuit permits restart feeding the operation power supplyvoltage to the microcomputer that has been set in the first low powerconsumption state, resulting in issuance of a power-on resetinstruction, followed by operation startup of the microprocessor, forwhich the monitoring function of the watchdog timer circuit isguaranteed.

-   (9) <Communication Interface>

A watchdog monitor system in accordance with a further anotherembodiment has the power IC as set forth in Section 5, a microcomputercoupled to the first to fourth external terminals of the power IC, and aswitch circuit for outputting to the fifth external terminal a signaldepending on a present switch state. The power IC further has acommunication interface circuit which is connected to a network bus (6)through network-side terminals (CANH, CANL) and which is coupled to themicrocomputer via control-side terminals (MODE, TXD, RXD). Thecontrol-side terminals include an external communication terminal and anexternal mode terminal. The microcomputer executes a low powerconsumption command to thereby give the first external terminal a clockchange corresponding to a bit number of the reference data and suppliesthe third external terminal with a data signal corresponding to thepredefined pattern in sync with the clock change and then goes into alow power consumption state. Subsequently, the timer control circuitforces the timer circuit to stop its timer count operation on conditionthat an input to the fifth external terminal indicates that the switchcircuit is in a switch-off state and, simultaneously, an input to themode terminal is a standby instruction with respect to the communicationinterface circuit.

With this arrangement, the microcomputer supplies the predetermined datasignal to the third external terminal in sync with a clock change beinggiven to the first external terminal immediately before execution of thelow power consumption command; after that, it goes into the low powerconsumption state. The watchdog timer circuit holds the reference dataand is able to stop the timer count operation after having ascertainedestablishment of the instructions of turn-of of the switch circuit andstandby of the communication interface circuit as the above-statedanother condition.

-   (10) <Restart of Timer Count Operation>

In Section 9, the timer control circuit restarts the timer countoperation of the timer circuit when the input to the fifth externalterminal changes from the turn-off state to turn-on state of the switchcircuit or when the input to the mode terminal changes to an activationinstruction with respect to the communication interface circuit or whenthe reference data becomes inconsonant with the predefined pattern afterhaving supplied a data signal to the third external terminal in syncwith a clock change as given by the microcomputer to the first externalterminal or, alternatively, when the input signal of the externalcommunication terminal changes resulting in it becoming the cause ofrecovery of the microcomputer.

The same functionality and advantages as those set forth in Section 7are obtained.

-   (11) <Automotive ECU, Ignition Switch>

In Section 10, the communication interface is an in-vehicle network, themicrocomputer makes up an electronic control unit (ECU) for use in motorvehicles, and the switch circuit is an ignition switch.

With this arrangement, it is possible to contribute to both of animprovement in reliability of the watchdog monitoring function of themicrocomputer in the automotive ECU being linked to the in-vehiclenetwork and a decrease in power consumption of the microcomputer.

-   (12) <Operation Power Supply Voltage Control in Standby and Sleep    Modes>

In Section 11, the microcomputer's low power consumption state is eithera first low power consumption state in which the feeding of the powersupply voltage is stopped or a second low power consumption state inwhich at least a central processing device is rendered inactive whilemaintaining the power supply voltage feeding. When going into the firstlow power consumption state, the microcomputer supplies the power IC'ssixth external terminal with a signal for instructing supply stop of theoperation power supply voltage. The power IC stops outputting theoperation power supply voltage on condition that there is an instructionfor stopping the feeding of the operation power supply voltage to thesixth external terminal and, simultaneously, an off-state signal of theswitch circuit is input to the fifth external terminal, and restartsoutputting the operation power supply voltage in response to quittanceof either one of these instructions.

With this arrangement, the same function and advantages as those setforth in Section 8 are obtained.

-   (13) <Watchdog Monitor System of Another Viewpoint Corresponding to    Section 6>

A watchdog monitor system in accordance with still another furtherembodiment has a power IC, a microcomputer coupled to the power IC, anda switch circuit for outputting to the power IC a signal depending on aswitch state. The power IC includes a watchdog timer circuit, a powersupply circuit for receiving an external power supply voltage and forgenerating a predetermined operation power supply voltage, and a resetcircuit for outputting an external reset signal in response to receiptof either a power-on reset instruction relating to the power supplyvoltage to be output from the power supply circuit or a resetinstruction to be output from the watchdog timer circuit. The watchdogtimer circuit includes a timer circuit for counting a count clock signalfrom its initial value to provide a count value, which is initializedbased on a timer refresh instruction to be externally input thereto, andfor outputting the reset instruction when the count value reaches atimeout value. The watchdog timer circuit further includes a timercontrol circuit for loading a predetermined data signal as externallyinput thereto in sync with the timer refresh instruction, for holdingtherein the sequentially loaded latest multi-bit data signal asreference data, for inhibiting a count clock signal counting operationperformed by the timer circuit when the retained reference data isconsonant with a predefined pattern and also satisfies anotherprespecified condition, and for restarting the count clock signalcounting operation of the timer circuit when the retained reference databecomes inconsonant with the predefined pattern or when the aforesaidanother prespecified condition fails to be met while the countingoperation is being inhibited. Immediately prior to execution of the lowpower consumption command, the microcomputer gives the power IC a clockchange corresponding to a bit number of the reference data by means ofthe timer refresh instruction and supplies a data signal correspondingto the predefined pattern in sync with such the clock change and thengoes into a low power consumption state.

With this arrangement, the operation of the watchdog timer circuit isstopped only when the latest reference data that was externally importedwith the timer refresh instruction being as a clock becomes consonantwith the predefined pattern and, at the same time, the anotherpredefined condition is met. Since the pattern matching does requireconcordance of multiple bits, the watchdog timer circuit is hardlydeactivated by error. Furthermore, when the watchdog timer circuit isdeactivated as a result of accidental concordance of the reference datawith the predefined pattern due to the CPU's runaway or the like, it ispossible to cause the watchdog timer circuit to quickly recover to itsoperable state without difficulty. This can be said because a state inwhich the latest reference data is different from the predefined patternin at least one bit or more will easily take place due to the CPU'srunaway or else. In addition, the microcomputer is allowed to go intoits low power consumption state after having executed the low powerconsumption command to thereby supply the required data signal in syncwith the refresh instruction whereas the watchdog timer circuit holdstherein the reference data and is able to stop the timer count operationafter having verified establishment of another condition(s).

-   (14) <EXOR>

In Section 13, the microcomputer outputs as the predetermined datasignal a signal which does not become the same in every bit of themultiple bits. The timer control circuit gives the reset circuit thereset instruction when it is detected that the predetermined data signalhas the same logical value with respect to a successive string of themultiple bits.

With this arrangement, the same function and advantages as those setforth in Section 4 are obtained.

-   (15) <Reset-Driven MCU Outputs Data Signal in Sync with Timer    Refresh Instruction>

In Section 14, the microcomputer is reset in response to receipt of anexternal reset signal to be output from the reset circuit, thereby tostart outputting of the data signal in sync with the timer refreshinstruction.

With such arrangement, it is possible to activate the monitoringfunction against abnormalities of the timer refresh instruction from atime point immediately after the reset release.

-   (16) <Watchdog Monitor System of Another Viewpoint Corresponding to    Section 9>

A watchdog monitor system in accordance with a still another furtherembodiment has a power IC, a microcomputer coupled to the power IC, anda switch circuit for outputting a signal depending on a switch state tothe power IC. The power IC includes a watchdog timer circuit, a powersupply circuit for receiving an external power supply voltage and forgenerating a predetermined operation power supply voltage, a resetcircuit for outputting an external reset signal in response to receiptof either a power-on reset instruction concerning the power supplyvoltage to be output from the power supply circuit or a resetinstruction to be output from the watchdog timer circuit, and acommunication interface circuit coupled to the microcomputer and to anetwork bus. The watchdog timer circuit has a timer circuit for countinga count clock signal from its initial value to provide a count value,which is initialized based on a timer refresh instruction to beexternally input thereto, and for outputting the reset instruction whenthe count value reaches a timeout value. The watchdog timer circuitfurther includes a timer control circuit for importing a predetermineddata signal as externally input thereto in sync with the timer refreshinstruction, for holding therein the sequentially loaded latestmulti-bit data signal as reference data, for inhibiting a count clocksignal counting operation performed by the timer circuit whileconditioning that the reference data being held is consonant with apredefined pattern, that an operation mode instruction with respect tothe communication interface circuit is a standby instruction and that aswitch state of the switch circuit indicates turn-off, and forrestarting the count clock signal counting operation of the timercircuit on condition that the reference data being held becomesinconsonant with the predefined pattern, that the operation modeinstruction relative to the communication interface circuit is changedto an activation instruction, that startup of external communication ofthe communication interface circuit is detected or that the switch stateof the switch circuit is changed to turn-on while the counting operationis being inhibited. The microcomputer executes the low power consumptioncommand to thereby give the power IC a clock change corresponding to abit number of the reference data by means of the timer refreshinstruction and supplies a data signal corresponding to the predefinedpattern in sync with such clock change and then goes into a low powerconsumption state.

With this arrangement, the operation of the watchdog timer circuit isstopped only when the latest reference data that was externally importedwith the timer refresh instruction being as a clock becomes consonantwith the predefined pattern and simultaneously the another predefinedcondition is satisfied. As the pattern matching requires concordance ofmultiple bits, the watchdog timer circuit is hardly deactivatedaccidentally. Furthermore, when the watchdog timer circuit is madeinactive as a result of accidental concordance of the reference datawith the predefined pattern due to the CPU's runaway or else, it ispossible to cause the watchdog timer circuit to quickly recover to itsoperable state without difficulty, because a state in which the latestreference data differs from the predefined pattern in at least one bitor more will readily appear due to the CPU's runaway or else. Inaddition, the microcomputer is allowed to go into its low powerconsumption state after having executed the low power consumptioncommand to thereby supply the required data signal in sync with therefresh instruction whereas the watchdog timer circuit holds therein thereference data and is able to stop the timer count operation afterhaving verified establishment of other conditions—i.e., turnoff of theswitch circuit and standby instruction of the communication interfacecircuit.

-   (17) <EXOR>

In Section 16, the microcomputer outputs as the predetermined datasignal a signal which does not become the same in every bit of themultiple bits. The timer control circuit gives the reset circuit thereset instruction when detecting that the predetermined data signal hasthe same logical value in a successive string of the multiple bits.

With such arrangement, the same function and advantages as those setforth in Section 4 are obtained.

-   (18) <Reset-Driven MCU Outputs Data Signal in Sync with Timer    Refresh Instruction>

In Section 17, the microcomputer is reset in response to an externalreset signal to be output from the reset circuit and then startsoutputting the data signal in sync with the timer refresh instruction.

With this arrangement, the same function and advantages as those setforth in Section 15 are obtained.

2. Details of Embodiments

A further detailed explanation will be given of illustrativeembodiments.

-   <1. Watchdog Monitor System>

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted one exemplary watchdogmonitor system. The watchdog monitor system as shown herein is adaptablefor use in an electronic control unit (ECU) of body system built inmotor vehicles although the invention should not exclusively be limitedthereto. For example, the system is also used for door lock/unlockcontrol, power window open/close control, light turn-on/off control,door mirror direction adjustment, etc. Although built-in microcomputersof body-system ECUs include a one arranged to go into a low powerconsumption state during car engine stop to thereby suppress batteryuse-up, this type of body-system ECU is especially required to recoverto its active state from the low power consumption state and startsproviding control in quick response to receipt of an instruction, suchas a door open/close instruction, even in cases where the engine isstopped due to turn-off of ignition switch. In such microcomputersystems under strict requirement for higher reliability, a watchdogtimer circuit that is externally coupled to a microcomputer is used inorder to rapidly detect and avoid a malfunction occurring due to themicrocomputer's runaway or else. It is the microcomputer that isexpected to periodically initialize a timer count value of the watchdogtimer circuit. As long as the timer count operation of watchdog timercircuit remains continued, it is a must for the microcomputer, even inits low power consumption state, to temporarily transit from the lowpower consumption state to a normal operation power state in aperiodical manner to thereby perform the timer initialization operation.Since the microcomputer does not perform any command execution in thelow power consumption state, substantive monitoring to be performed bythe watchdog timer circuit is less in significance—in addition,nonnegligible power consumption is needed to make the microcomputerperiodically recover to its operable state from the low powerconsumption state. Although a watchdog monitor system as will bedescribed below is the one that interrupts the timer count operation ofthe watchdog timer circuit in the microcomputer's low power consumptionstate in order to lower such power consumption, this system isspecifically arranged to avoid deterioration of the reliability of thewatchdog monitor system in operation-stop and release events thereof.More specifically, this system is capable of controlling activation anddeactivation of the watchdog timer circuit to thereby ensure that thewatchdog timer circuit is hardly rendered inoperative accidentally andis also able to make the watchdog timer circuit recover to its operablestate quickly and easily even when the circuit is deactivatedaccidentally. Details of it will be set forth below.

The watchdog monitor system shown in FIG. 1 has a power IC (PWIC) 1, amicrocomputer (MCU) 2 connected to the power IC 1, and a switch circuit,e.g., an ignition switch 3, which outputs to the power IC a signalindicative of a switch state.

The ignition switch 3 is a switch for instructing start-up of a motorvehicle. Although not specifically illustrated in FIG. 1, a signalgenerated by turn-on of the ignition switch 3 is used as a trigger forthe engine start by way of a power train-system ECU of the vehicle. Asignal generated by turn-off of the ignition switch 3 is used as atrigger for engine stop via the power train-system ECU.

An ignition switch signal “ig” responsive to turn-on and turn-off of theignition switch 3 is input from an ignition terminal (fifth externalterminal) IG.

The power IC 1 has a power supply circuit (RGLT) 10, a watchdog resetcircuit (WDRST) 11, and a communication interface circuit (TRSCV) 12.

The power supply circuit 10 receives at an external power supply inputterminal VS an external power supply voltage “vs” from a battery powersource 4 or the like and generates a predetermined operation powersupply voltage “vout,” which is output from a power supply terminal(fourth external terminal) VOUT. The power supply circuit 10 is made upof a DC-DC series regulator, for example. Supplied to this power supplycircuit 10 are the above-stated ignition signal ig for power supplycontrol and a power supply control signal inh which is input to a powersupply control terminal (sixth external terminal) INH from themicrocomputer 2 for power supply control. An external ground terminalGND is for reception of a ground voltage gnd. Note here that anoperation power supply of the power IC per se is either an externalpower supply voltage vs or an internal voltage (not depicted) to begenerated by the power supply circuit 10, for example.

The communication interface circuit 12 is constituted, for example, froma controller area network (CAN) transceiver. The communication interfacecircuit 12 is connected on its one side to network-side terminals CANHand CANL and coupled on the other side to control-side terminals, suchas a mode terminal MODE, transmission terminal Txd and receptionterminal Rxd. The network-side terminals CANH and CANL are coupled to anetwork bus 6. The mode terminal MODE, transmission terminal Txd andreception terminal Rxd are connected to a CAN controller embedded in themicrocomputer. This CAN controller performs CAN protocol control,including but not limited to the creation of communication frames,communication arbitration and error handling. The communicationinterface circuit 12 performs generation and adjustment of signalstransmitted to the network bus. The mode terminal MODE is such that amode signal mode for use in activation/deactivation control of thecommunication interface circuit 12 is supplied thereto from themicrocomputer 2. A transmission signal txd is supplied to thetransmission terminal TXD from the microcomputer 2; reception data rxdis output from the reception terminal RXD to microcomputer 2.

The watchdog reset circuit 11 is a circuit block that realizes a resetfunction concerning the power supply voltage vout to be generated by thepower supply circuit 10 and watchdog monitor function for monitoring apresent state of the microcomputer 2. The reset function is foroutputting an external reset signal resb from external reset terminal(second external terminal) RESB in response to receipt of a power-onreset instruction, a low voltage reset instruction, a watchdog resetinstruction or the like. The power-on reset instruction is generatedupon detection of an event that the power supply voltage vout hasreached an operation guarantee voltage from the ground voltage. Thelow-voltage reset instruction is generated by detecting that the powersupply voltage is lowered in potential after power-on reset. Thewatchdog monitor function is for inhibiting generation of the watchdogreset instruction by repeated execution of a timer count valueinitialization operation every time a refresh signal prun being givenfrom the microcomputer 2 to a refresh terminal (first external terminal)PRUN is made active periodically and for generating the watchdog resetinstruction when the timer count value fails to be reset until thetimeout occurs.

The microcomputer 2 has a central processing unit (CPU) 2A whichexecutes commands in accordance with a software program. While suchcommand execution is being properly performed by the CPU 2A, the refreshsignal prun is periodically made active at prespecified time intervalsin accordance with the program. In the CPU 2A's runaway state,abnormality takes place: the refresh signal prun completely fails to beactivated; adversely, this signal is activated on an excessive number ofoccasions. The microcomputer 2 has power supply voltage states,including a first low power consumption state, i.e., sleep state inwhich the supplying of clocks to the CPU is stopped, and a second lowpower consumption state, i.e., standby state in which at least the CPU2A's command execution operation is aborted while maintaining thefeeding of the power supply voltage vout.

In the low power consumption states, the CPU 2A does not execute anycommand; so, it is impossible to activate the refresh signal prun.

The watchdog reset circuit 11 has a function to control stop and restartof the timer count operation in a way pursuant to the state of an inputfrom external terminal(s), by taking account of the microcomputer 2'slow power consumption state. More precisely, the circuit serially loadsand holds therein a data signal stn from data input terminal (thirdexternal terminal) STN in sync with a timer refresh instruction (e.g., arise-up change of refresh signal prun) to be given from the refreshterminal PRUN and sets as a necessary condition for the halt of timercount operation a state in which the reference data—i.e., latestmultiple-bit data signal being held therein—is consonant with apredefined pattern. The watchdog reset circuit 11 uses the timer freshsignal prun as a timer refresh instruction signal and uses it as a datalatch enable signal to latch data being supplied to the data signal stn.In addition, the circuit sets as a sufficient condition for restart oftimer count operation a state in which the above-stated consonant stateis changed due to the loading or “import” of a data signal stn from thedata input terminal STN in sync with a subsequent timer refreshinstruction.

One exemplary way of satisfying the necessary condition of timer countoperation halt is as follows: in cases where the microcomputer 2executes the low power consumption command and goes into its low powerconsumption state, the microcomputer 2 serially outputs, as part of asession for such command execution, the data signal stn consonant withthe predefined pattern to the data input terminal STN in sync with arising change of the refresh signal prun. An exemplary way of meetingthe sufficient condition of the timer count operation restart is asfollows: when the low power consumption state is released by occurrenceof an interruption or else, the microcomputer 2 first forces the refreshsignal prun to exhibit a rise-up change and, in sync therewith, outputsa data signal stn of a single bit to the data input terminal STN. Withthis processing, the reference data being held by the watchdog resetcircuit 11 becomes inconsonant with the predefined pattern.

There may be other necessary conditions, each of which is usable as thenecessary condition for halt of the timer count operation. In thisembodiment, one of them is a notice of the ignition switch 3's turn-offstate by means of an ignition switch signal ig. In the embodiment havingthe communication interface circuit 12, there is a notice of acommunication sleep state indicating that the communication interfacecircuit 12 is in its sleep state, although this invention is notexclusively limited thereto. Regarding the sufficient condition of thetimer count operation restart, there may be other sufficient conditions.In this embodiment, there are a notice of the ignition switch 3'sturn-on by means of the ignition switch signal ig and a notice ofreleasing the communication sleep state although the invention is notexclusively limited thereto. The communication sleep state is notifiedby a high level of a CAN enable signal canena to be output from thecommunication interface circuit 12; the release thereof is notified by alow level of CAN enable signal canena although this is not to beconstrued as limiting the invention.

With the timer count operation stop/restart control of the watchdogreset circuit 11 based on the above-stated necessary and sufficientconditions, the watchdog timer circuit is no longer rendered inoperativeaccidentally because the consonance of a pattern for stopping the timercount operation does require congruence of two or more bits at a time.Furthermore, even when the timer count operation is stopped erroneouslydue to accidental congruence of the reference data with the predefinedpattern due to the microcomputer 2's runaway or the like, a state isexpected to appear soon afterword in which the retained reference datachanges in at least one bit in case the operation failure, such as therunaway of microcomputer 2, remains uncured continuously. Thus, it ispossible to force the accidentally interrupted timer count operation toquickly recover to its operable state without difficulty. In short, theembodiment circuit has its advantage in that the timer count operationof the watchdog reset circuit 11 is hardly stopped by error and that thecircuit is rapidly recoverable to its operable state even uponoccurrence of such erroneous operation stop. Additionally, when comparedto an approach for separately providing a data latch enable terminal andfor supplying the reference data thereto, it becomes easier, byperforming data latch of the data signal stn along with a timer refreshoperation using the timer refresh signal prun which makes it easier topresumably recognize that the microcomputer 2 is normally operating, todeter the timer count operation interruption occurring due to theappearance of an unforeseen accidental signal state during runaway ofthe microcomputer 2.

Particularly but not exclusively, the watchdog reset circuit 11 has perse a debug enable terminal WDTE that makes it possible to control thestop and restart of the timer count operation in order to achieve, inaddition to the above-stated timer count operation stop/restart control,the convenience that eliminates the need for a process of refreshing thetimer count operation during system debugging and/or when writing aprogram into an on-chip flash memory of the microcomputer 2 by way ofexample. Here, the debug enable terminal WDTE is set to a high levelwhereby the timer count operation is stopped. In debug-completed productsystems, the debug enable terminal WDTE may be potentially pulled downto the ground voltage gnd. Such the pull-down manipulation ispictorially represented by a switch in FIG. 1.

-   <2. Watchdog timer Circuit>

Turning to FIG. 2, a practical example of the watchdog reset circuit 11is shown. The watchdog reset circuit 11 has a watchdog timer circuit 40and a reset circuit 50.

The reset circuit 50 is for generating the aforementioned power-on resetinstruction upon detection of input of the power supply voltage vout,for inputting from the watchdog timer circuit 40 a watchdog resetinstruction signal wdres which gives the watchdog reset instruction, andfor inputting a reset instruction signal resd responsive to alow-voltage reset instruction or the like. The reset circuit 50 isresponsive to receipt of the power-on reset instruction or the watchdogreset instruction or the low-voltage reset instruction, for outputting areset signal resb of low level from the reset terminal RESB and,thereafter, inverting it to high level to thereby give a reset releaseinstruction.

The watchdog timer circuit 40 has a timer circuit (WDT) 30, clockgeneration circuit (CCKG) 31 and timer control circuit (WDTCONT) 20,although the invention should not exclusively be limited thereto.

The clock generator circuit 31 generates a count clock signal CCK. Thetimer circuit 30 performs a count operation in sync with the count clocksignal CCK. A count value of it is arranged to range from its initialvalue up to a timeout value. The timeout value may be a fixed value or,alternatively, a register value to be programmably set by themicrocomputer 2 although the invention is not exclusively limitedthereto. The count value (timer count value) is initialized by the timercircuit 30 in sync with a rising change of the refresh signal prunalthough the invention is not limited thereto. The count operation insync with the count clock signal CCK is continued as long as theinitialization operation responding to the refresh signal prun isinserted before the timer count value of the timer circuit 30 reachesthe timeout value. When the timer count value reaches the timeout value,the timer circuit 30 activates the watchdog reset signal wdres and givesit to the reset circuit 50 in order to perform the above-stated watchdogreset instruction.

The stop and start of the timer count operation in the timer circuit 30are performed, for example, in response to abortion and generation ofthe count clock signal CCK in the clock generator circuit 31,respectively. An example is that the count clock signal CCK is stoppedby a potential change of timer-off signal wdtoff to high level whereasthe count clock signal CCK is generated by a change of the signal to lowlevel. Here, an uprising change to high level of the timer-off signalwdtoff is also supplied to the timer circuit 30 so that the timer countvalue initialization in the timer circuit 30 is performed in response tosuch high-level change also, although the invention is not limitedthereto. Accordingly, when the count clock signal CCK is stopped, thetimer count value of timer circuit 30 is set to its initial value,thereby enabling restart of the timer count operation from the initialvalue.

The timer control circuit 20 has a pattern matching circuit (PTMCH) 21,low-voltage detection circuit (LVDTC) 23, AND gate 24 and OR gate 25.

The low-voltage detector circuit 23 operates, although not specificallylimited thereto, to determine whether the power supply voltage vout ishigher in potential than the operation guarantee voltage after power-onreset. When the supply voltage is higher in potential than or equal tothe operation guarantee voltage, the circuit outputs a detection signalvdtc of high level; when the former is lower than the latter, it makesthe detection signal vdtc change to low level.

The pattern matching circuit 21 sequentially receives and takesthereinto a data signal stn from the data terminal STN with the refreshsignal prun being as a clock therefor, holds therein a predeterminednumber of latest bits as reference data, determines whether its holdingreference data is consonant with a predefined pattern, and outputs apattern discrimination signal ptmch that reflects such determinationresult.

A practical example of the pattern matching circuit 21 is shown in FIG.3. This circuit has a shift register (SFTREG) that is made up of aseries combination of four stages of D-type flip-flops 60 to 63 with adata output node Q of a pre-stage being coupled to a data input node Dof its post stage. The data signal stn is supplied to a data input nodeD of the prime stage. The refresh signal prun is supplied to a clocknode CK in a parallel way. The detection signal vdtc is fed to a resetnode R. A respective bit of the latest 4-bit reference data being heldby the shift register is subjected to logical multiplication by 4-inputAND gate 64 in a state with a string of non-inversion, inversion,inversion and noninversion, thereby determining whether the latestreference data is consonant with a predefined pattern “1001.” If theformer is identical to the latter, the pattern match signal ptmch is setto high level; otherwise, it is set to low level.

Each bit value of the flip-flops 60-63 is subjected toconcordance/discordance discrimination in a parallel manner, by anExclusive-OR gate (EXOR) 65 functioning as a concordance judgingcircuit. Upon concordance, a reset instruction is given to the resetcircuit 50 by means of a reset instruction signal resd. The resetinstruction using the reset instruction signal resd is a low-voltagereset instruction or a reset instruction due to pattern abnormality. Thelow-level reset instruction is generated in response to occurrence of anevent that a detection signal vdtc is set to low level by low-voltagedetection of the low-voltage detector circuit 23 to thereby set all ofthe values of the series-connected four stages of D flip-flops 60-63 atlogical value “0.” The pattern abnormality-triggered reset instructionis generated by occurrence of an event which follows: even in caseswhere the refresh signal prun experiences a clock change with anabnormally shortened cycle due to the runaway of CPU 2A, for example,and this results in lack of the ability to generate the watchdog resetinstruction, respective bit values of flip-flops 60-63 are kept to havethe same logical value if the microcomputer 2's function of outputtingthe data signal stn is also lost.

The AND gate 24 applies logical multiplication to its three inputsignals—here, the pattern match signal ptmch, CAN enable signal canenaand ignition signal ig. Its logical product signal is subject to logicalsum processing with an input signal from the debug enable terminal WDTE,resulting in creation of the watchdog off signal wdtoff stated supra.

In accordance with this embodiment, the condition for halt of the countclock signal CCK of the timer circuit 30 is such that the data beinglatched in D flip-flops 60-63 in sync with the activation timing ofrefresh signal prun is set to high level of the pattern match signalptmch that is output in responding to the state of holding the referencedata “1001.” Additionally, the timer count operation of the watchdogtimer circuit is interrupted by simultaneous establishment of the lowlevel of ignition signal ig responsive to turn-off of the ignitionswitch 3 and the high level of CAN enable signal canena responding tothe communication sleep state of the communication interface circuit 12.

To restart the once-stopped timer count operation, what is required isthat at least one of the above-stated conditions becomes unsatisfied.More specifically, the operation gets restarted when the ignition switch3 is turned on, when the communication interface circuit 12 is waked upor when a change of the reference data “1001” occurs.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary operation-stop/restart timings of the watchdogtimer circuit 40.

Here, the microcomputer 2 alternately outputs during its normaloperation a logical value “1” and logical value “0” to the data terminalSTN in sync with pulse changes of the refresh signal prun transmitted torefresh terminal PRUN. For example, when the value of the shift registerSFTREG is “1010,” a change to “0101” occurs at time point t1. Note herethat the value representation of the shift register SFTREG is defined tocorrespond to the order of D flip-flops 63, 62, 61 and 60.

At time point t2, the ignition switch 3 is turned off. In respondingthereto, the microcomputer 2 executes a standby command. This commandexecution of microcomputer 2 includes a process of forcing the refreshsignal prun to change in clock so that the data signal stn is set to “0”at time point t3, to “0” at time point t4 and to “1” at time point t5,thereby holding the latched reference data “1001” in shift registerSFTREG. Whereby, the pattern match signal ptmch is set at high level.Concurrently with this, the ignition signal ig is set to low level dueto turnoff of the ignition switch 3, and the CAN enable signal canena isset at high level due to communication sleep of the communicationinterface circuit 12. This meets the necessary condition of the timercount operation halt of the watchdog timer circuit. Thus, the watchdogtimer circuit is deactivated. In the standby state of microcomputer 2,the timer count operation of watchdog timer circuit 40 is halted. Duringthis session, the watchdog reset instruction is prevented from beinggenerated. It is thus possible to suppress wasteful consumption ofelectric power which is to be used in events that the microcomputer 2being set in its standby state recovers from the standby state in orderto initialize the timer count value of watchdog timer circuit 40periodically.

When at time point t6 the communication interface circuit 12 experiencessignal transmission thereto, the communication interface circuit 12wakes up for data reception. In responding thereto, the CAN enablesignal canena is changed to low level whereby one necessary conditionfor interruption of the timer count operation of watchdog timer circuit40 fails to be satisfied so that the timer count operation of thiswatchdog timer circuit gets restarted. Simultaneously, in response tothe wake-up of communication interface circuit 12 (i.e., wakeup event),the CPU 2A recovers to its operable state from standby state and outputsa data signal stn of logical value “0” in sync with the refresh signalprun, thereby causing the reference data to change to “0010.” The CPU2A, which has now returned to its normally operable state, operates inaccordance with its operation program to continue the operation ofoutputting the data signal stn by making the refresh signal prun toexhibit a pulse change(s) prior to timeout of the watchdog timer circuit40.

The restart of the timer count operation of watchdog timer circuit 40 isalso enabled by an event that the ignition signal ig changes to highlevel in response to turn-on of the ignition switch 3 as indicated by atwo-dot chain line in FIG. 4.

Additionally, in a case where the microcomputer 2 executes the sleepcommand when the ignition switch 3 is turned off at time point t2, themicrocomputer 2 performs an operation in addition to the processing ashas been stated in the case of standby command execution—i.e., itfinally outputs a low-level power supply signal inh to the controlterminal INH. In response to receipt of this signal, the power IC 1stops generation of the power supply voltage vout by the power supplycircuit 10 in response to a logical sum signal having low level to beoutput from the OR gate 15 as a result of the signals ig and inh beingset to low level. By this, the feeding of the power supply voltage tothe microcomputer 2 is stopped; so, the microcomputer 2 goes into itssleep state. Thereafter, the ignition switch 3 is turned on, causing thelogical sum signal of OR gate 15 to potentially change to high level.Thus, the voltage generation operation of the power supply circuit 10gets restarted whereby the feeding of the operation power supply voltageto microcomputer 2 is restarted and, simultaneously, the reset circuit50 instructs microcomputer 2 to execute the reset processing by sendingthereto the reset signal resb. After the reset release, themicrocomputer 2 is rendered operative. Concurrently with this operation,the watchdog timer circuit 40 also restarts the timer count operation;thus, the watchdog monitor operation is enabled. Other operations aresimilar to those in the case of the microcomputer 2 executing thestandby command.

See FIG. 5, which shows examples of generation operation timings of thereset instruction signal resd in the runaway state of CPU 2A.

Here, the microcomputer 2 outputs during its normal operation a logicalvalue “1” and logical value “0” alternately to the data terminal STN insync with pulse changes of the fresh signal prun being sent to refreshterminal PRUN. For example, when the value of the shift register SFTREGis “1010,” a change to “0101” occurs at time point t1. The valuerepresentation of shift register SFTREG is the same as that in the caseof FIG. 4. Similarly at time point t2, the data signal stn is set tological value “1,” resulting in the value of shift register SFTREG beingset to “0101.”

In this example, it is assumed that runaway of CPU 2A takes place attime point t3. Suppose that in such CPU 2A's runaway state, the refreshsignal prun undergoes clock changes with a short cycle. It is consideredthat in the CPU 2A's runaway state, the operation of changing the datasignal to logical level “1” and “0” alternately is no longer properlymaintained; even in such case, the data signal stn is very likely toremain fixed to “0” or “1.” Here, it is presupposed that the data signalstn is fixed to “0” whereas the value of shift register SFTREG is set to“0100” at time point t4, to “1000” at time t5, and to “0000” at time t6.When the value of shift register SFTREG is set to “0000,” the resetinstruction signal resd potentially goes low; then, the microcomputer 2is reset by external reset signal resb . Thus, the CPU 2A's runaway iscured.

-   <3. Another Example of Watchdog Timer Circuit>

Turning to FIG. 6, another example of the watchdog timer circuit 40A isdepicted. The watchdog timer circuit 40A shown herein is different fromthat of FIG. 3 in configuration of the pattern matching circuit. FIG. 6shows only such different pattern matching circuit 21A for brevitypurposes: the other arrangements are the same as those shown in FIG. 2so that these are eliminated from illustration. The pattern matchingcircuit 21A differs from the pattern matching circuit 21 of FIG. 3 inthat the function of generating the reset signal resd is omitted: theformer is the same as the latter in other arrangements. As a consequenceof this design, any reset signal is not generated in the event ofzero-clear of latch data with respect to the flip-flops 60-63.

FIG. 7 shows exemplary operation-stop/restart timings of the watchdogtimer circuit employing the pattern matching circuit 21A of FIG. 6.

Assume here that the microcomputer 2 does not perform, during its normaloperation, alternate outputting of the logical values “1” and “0” to thedata terminal STN in sync with pulse changes of the refresh signal prunas sent to the refresh terminal PRUN; instead, it outputs a signalhaving a fixed value equal to logical value “0.” Consequently, the valueof shift register SFTREG is set to a 4-bit value “0000” irrespective ofits initial value after having experienced four pulse changes of therefresh signal prun at a maximum. The value representation of shiftregister SFTREG is in the order of D flip-flops 63, 62, 61 and 60.

In FIG. 7, under this state, the ignition switch 3 is turned off at timepoint t1. In responding thereto, the microcomputer 2 executes a standbycommand. At this time the microcomputer 2 forces, during its processingexecution, the refresh signal prun to change in clock whereby the datasignal stn is set to logic level “1” at time point t2, to “0” at timet3, to “0” at time t4, and to “1” at time t5 so that reference data“1001” is latched and held in the shift register SFTREG. With thisprocessing, the pattern match signal ptmch is set to high level.Concurrently, the ignition signal ig is set to low level in response toturnoff of the ignition switch 3; the CAN enable signal canena is set tohigh level due to communication sleep of the communication interfacecircuit 12. This state satisfies the necessary condition for halt oftimer count operation of the watchdog timer circuit; so, the watchdogtimer circuit is rendered inoperative. In the standby state ofmicrocomputer 2, the timer count operation of watchdog timer circuit ishalted. During it, the watchdog reset instruction is prevented frombeing generated. Thus, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumptionof electric power that is to be used in events that the microcomputer 2being set in its standby state recovers from the standby state in orderto initialize the timer count value of watchdog timer circuit 40periodically.

When at time point t6 the communication interface circuit 12 undergoessignal transmission thereto, the communication interface circuit 12wakes up for reception of an incoming data signal(s). In respondingthereto, the CAN enable signal canena is changed to low level wherebyone necessary condition for interruption of the timer count operation ofwatchdog timer circuit 40A becomes unsatisfied so that the timer countoperation of this watchdog timer circuit 40A gets restarted.Simultaneously, in response to the wakeup of communication interfacecircuit 12 (wakeup event), the CPU 2A recovers to its operable statefrom standby state and then outputs a data signal stn of logical value“0” in sync with the refresh signal prun, thereby causing the referencedata to change to “0010.” The CPU 2A, which has now returned to itsnormally operable state, operates in accordance with the operationprogram to continue the operation of outputting the data signal stn ofvalue “0” by making the refresh signal prun to exhibit a pulse change(s)prior to timeout of the watchdog timer circuit 40A.

The restart of the timer count operation of watchdog timer circuit 40Ais also enabled by an event that the ignition signal ig changes to highlevel in response to turn-on of the ignition switch 3 in a similar wayto the case of FIG. 4.

A watchdog monitor system shown in FIG. 8 has in the communicationinterface circuit 12 of FIG. 1 a circuit for checking or “judging” an IDcontained in CAN message. Its operation timing chart is shown in FIG. 9.The watchdog monitor system shown in FIG. 8 does not simply restart thetimer count operation in mere response to the communication interfacecircuit's recovery from its communication sleep state after havingreceived a CAN message. This system discriminates an ID contained in theCAN message at the ID check circuit and permits restart of the timercount operation after having verified (T2) that such CAN message issurely targeted at oneself. Alternatively, if the ID check resultreveals (T1) that the CAN message is not aimed at oneself, thecommunication interface circuit goes into the communication sleep stateagain. By performing this timer count restart operation, themicrocomputer and watchdog timer are kept inoperative upon reception ofCAN message for another ECU being linked to the CAN network. This makesit possible to maintain the low-power consumption state.

Although not specifically illustrated, the watchdog timer circuit 40A ofFIG. 6 is also applicable to the monitor system of FIG. 1 and the powerIC of FIG. 2.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

For instance, the count clock signal may alternatively be supplied fromcircuitry external to the watchdog timer circuit. Interruption of thetimer count operation in the watchdog timer circuit is not limited onlyto the case of performing it by stopping generation of the count clocksignal. The timer count operation halt may also be realized by cutoff ofclock transmission using a clock gate that is inserted into a countclock signal transmission line. Note however that as has been explainedin connection with the embodiments, it is possible to lower electricpower consumed by the clock generator circuit in the case of a controlscheme for stopping the clock generation operation performed by theclock generator circuit.

The pattern matching object data for interruption of the timer countoperation is not limited to four-bit data and may be data of any otherplural numbers of bits. The predefined pattern for count clock stop ismodifiable on a case-by-case basis. This pattern is formable asstationary circuitry or is rendered variable by using meltdown fuses.

In cases where the power IC does not have the communication interfacecircuit, the communication disable state indicated by the signal canenamay be excluded from the necessary condition for timer count operationstop. Similarly excludable is the communication enable state which isone of the sufficient conditions for timer count operation restart.

The watchdog timer circuits of the embodiments stated above may also beapplied to semiconductor devices other than the power IC. The watchdogtimer circuits embodying the invention may also be used while beingbuilt in microcomputers or other semiconductor devices of thesystem-on-chip (SoC) type.

The communication interface is not limited to the controller areanetwork (CAN).

It should be understood that in the case of the above-stated watchdogtimer circuitry being applied to in-vehicle systems, there are otherapplications than the car-body system. For example, in case the watchdogtimer circuit is used in a power train system, the ignition switchturnoff state may be excluded from the necessary condition for the timercount operation stop of watchdog timer circuit. Practical examples ofthe necessary condition of timer count operation stop of watchdog timercircuit and the sufficient condition of timer count operation restartare not limited to those of the above-stated embodiments and may bemodified in various ways on a case-by-case basis.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art thatalthough the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of theinvention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

1. A watchdog timer circuit for serially loading and holding therein adata signal from an external terminal (PRUN) in synchronization with atimer refresh instruction, for letting a state in which a latestmultiple-bit data signal held therein is identical with a predefinedpattern be a necessary condition for interruption of a timer countoperation, and for letting a state in which the identical state ischanged due to subsequent loading of a data signal from the externalterminal in sync with the timer refresh instruction be a sufficientcondition for restart of the timer count operation.
 2. A watchdog timercircuit comprising a timer circuit for counting a count clock signalfrom an initial value thereof and for generating a reset instructionwhen a count value reaches a time-out value, said count value beinginitialized based on a timer refresh instruction to be externally inputthereto, and a timer control circuit for loading a predetermined datasignal to be externally input thereto in synchronization with the timerrefresh instruction, for holding therein a sequentially loaded multi-bitdata signal as reference data, for inhibiting a count clock signalcounting operation to be performed by said timer circuit when thereference data being held therein is identical with a predefined patternand simultaneously another prespecified condition is satisfied, and forrestarting the count clock signal counting operation of said timercircuit when the reference data being held becomes nonidentical with thepredefined pattern or when said another predefined condition becomesunsatisfied while the counting operation is being inhibited.
 3. Thewatchdog timer circuit according to claim 2, wherein said timer controlcircuit includes a multi-bit shift register (SFTREG) for sequentiallylatching the predetermined data signal at a timing of receipt of thetimer refresh instruction, and a logic gate circuit for inputting latchdata of multiple bits of said shift register as the reference data andfor determining whether the input data is identical with said predefinedpattern.
 4. The watchdog timer circuit according to claim 2, whereinwhen the predefined pattern is caused to be a pattern which is not thesame in all of the multiple bits, said timer control circuit has a logicgate for detecting that the predetermined data signal has the samelogical value in a string of consecutive bits corresponding to themultiple bits and for generating a reset instruction.
 5. A powerintegrated circuit (“IC”) having the watchdog timer circuit as recitedin claim 2 and being formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein saidpower IC comprises a power supply circuit operatively responsive toreceipt of an external power supply voltage for generating apredetermined operation power supply voltage, a reset circuit foroutputting an external reset signal in response to receipt of either apower-on reset instruction concerning the power supply voltage beingoutput from said power supply circuit or a reset instruction due totime-out of the timer circuit of said watchdog timer circuit, a firstexternal terminal (PRUN) for inputting from outside of said power IC acontrol signal used for the timer refresh instruction, a second externalterminal (RESB) for outputting an external reset signal to outside ofsaid power IC, a third external terminal (STN) for inputting the datasignal from outside of said power IC, a fourth external terminal (VOUT)for outputting the predetermined operation power supply voltage tooutside of said power IC, and a fifth external terminal (IG) forinputting other instructions from outside of said power IC.
 6. Awatchdog monitor system having the power IC as recited in claim 5, amicrocomputer coupled to the first to fourth external terminals of saidpower IC, and a switch circuit for outputting a signal depending on aswitch state to said fifth external terminal, wherein said microcomputerexecutes a low power consumption command to thereby give the firstexternal terminal a clock change corresponding to a bit number of thereference data and supplies the third external terminal with a datasignal corresponding to the predefined pattern in sync with the clockchange and then goes into a low power consumption state, and whereinsaid timer control circuit causes said timer circuit to stop its timercount operation on condition that the input to said fifth externalterminal indicates that said switch circuit is in a switch-off state. 7.The watchdog monitor system according to claim 6, wherein said timercontrol circuit restarts the timer count operation of said timer circuitwhen the input to said fifth external terminal changes from the offstate to an on state of said switch circuit or when the reference databecomes incongruous with said predefined pattern after having supplied adata signal to said third external terminal in sync with a clock changegiven to said first external terminal by said microcomputer.
 8. Thewatchdog monitor system according to claim 7, wherein said microcomputerhas a low power consumption state which is either a first low powerconsumption state in which the feeding of the power supply voltage isstopped or a second low power consumption state in which at least acentral processing device is deactivated while retaining the powersupply voltage feeding, wherein said microcomputer supplies a sixthexternal terminal of said power IC with a signal for instruction of stopof feeding of the operation power supply voltage when going into thefirst low power consumption state, and wherein said power IC stopsoutputting of said operation power supply voltage on condition thatthere are both of an instruction for stopping the feeding of theoperation power supply voltage to said sixth external terminal and aninstruction for stopping the feeding of the operation power supplyvoltage to said fifth external terminal and restarts outputting of theoperation power supply voltage in response to quittance of any one ofthese instructions.
 9. A watchdog monitor system having the power IC asrecited in claim 5, a microcomputer coupled to the first to fourthexternal terminals of said power IC, and a switch circuit for outputtinga signal depending on a switch state to the fifth external terminal,wherein said power IC further includes a communication interface circuitwhich is connected to a network bus through a network-side terminal andwhich is coupled to said microcomputer via control-side terminals,wherein the control-side terminals include an external communicationterminal and an external mode terminal, and wherein said microcomputerexecutes a low power consumption command to thereby give the firstexternal terminal a clock change corresponding to a bit number of thereference data and supplies the third external terminal with a datasignal corresponding to said predefined pattern in sync with the clockchange and then goes into a low power consumption state, and thereaftersaid timer control circuit causes said timer circuit to stop its timercount operation on condition that the input to said fifth externalterminal indicates that said switch circuit is in a switch-off stateand, simultaneously, an input to the mode terminal is a stand-byinstruction with respect to said communication interface circuit. 10.The watchdog monitor system according to claim 9, wherein said timercontrol circuit restarts the timer count operation of said timer circuitwhen the input to said fifth external terminal changes from the offstate to an on state of said switch circuit or when the input to saidmode terminal changes to an instruction for activation of saidcommunication interface circuit or when the reference data becomesincongruous with said predefined pattern after having supplied a datasignal to said third external terminal in sync with a clock change givento said first external terminal by said microcomputer.
 11. The watchdogmonitor system according to claim 10, wherein said communicationinterface circuit is for use with an in-vehicle network, wherein saidmicrocomputer constitutes an electronic control unit (“ECU”) for use inmotor vehicles, and wherein said switch circuit is an ignition switch.12. The watchdog monitor system according to claim 11, wherein saidmicrocomputer has a low power consumption state which is either a firstlow power consumption state in which the feeding of the power supplyvoltage is stopped or a second low power consumption state in which atleast a central processing device is deactivated while feeding of thepower supply voltage is sustained, wherein said microcomputer supplies asixth external terminal of said power IC with a signal for instructionof stop of the feeding of the operation power supply voltage when goinginto the first low power consumption state, and wherein said power ICstops outputting of said operation power supply voltage whileconditioning that there is an instruction for stopping the feeding ofthe operation power supply voltage to said sixth external terminal andsimultaneously an off-state signal of said switch circuit is input tosaid fifth external terminal and restarts outputting of the operationpower supply voltage in response to quittance of any one of theseinstructions.
 13. A watchdog monitor system having a power IC, amicrocomputer coupled to said power IC, and a switch circuit foroutputting a signal indicative of a switch state to said power IC,wherein said power IC comprises a watchdog timer circuit, a power supplycircuit for receiving an external power supply voltage and forgenerating a predetermined operation power supply voltage, and a resetcircuit for outputting an external reset signal in response to receiptof either a power-on reset instruction relating to the power supplyvoltage to be output from said power supply circuit or a resetinstruction to be output from said watchdog timer circuit, wherein saidwatchdog timer circuit comprises a timer circuit for counting a countclock signal from an initial value, for having a count value which isinitialized based on a timer refresh instruction to be externally inputthereto and for outputting the reset instruction when the count valuereaches a time-out value, and a timer control circuit for loading apredetermined data signal as externally input thereto in a waysynchronous with the timer refresh instruction, for holding therein asequentially loaded latest multi-bit data signal as reference data, forinhibiting a count clock signal counting operation performed by saidtimer circuit when the reference data being held is consonant with apredefined pattern and simultaneously another prespecified condition issatisfied, and for restarting the count clock signal counting operationof said timer circuit when the reference data being held becomesinconsonant with the predefined pattern or when said anotherprespecified condition fails to be met while the counting operation isbeing inhibited, and wherein said microcomputer executes a low powerconsumption command to thereby give said power IC a clock changecorresponding to a bit number of the reference data by means of thetimer refresh instruction and supplies a data signal corresponding tothe predefined pattern in sync with such clock change and then goes intoa low power consumption state.
 14. The watchdog monitor system accordingto claim 13, wherein said microcomputer outputs as the predetermineddata signal a signal which does not become the same in all bits of themultiple bits, and wherein said timer control circuit gives said resetcircuit the reset instruction when detecting that said predetermineddata signal has in succession the same logical value with respect to astring of the multiple bits.
 15. The watchdog monitor system accordingto claim 14, wherein said microcomputer is reset in response to receiptof the external reset signal to be output from said reset circuit,thereby to start outputting of the data signal in sync with the timerrefresh instruction.
 16. A watchdog monitor system having a power IC, amicrocomputer coupled to said power IC, and a switch circuit foroutputting a signal indicative of a switch state to said power IC,wherein said power IC comprises a watchdog timer circuit, a power supplycircuit for receiving an external power supply voltage and forgenerating a predetermined operation power supply voltage, a resetcircuit for outputting an external reset signal in response to receiptof either a power-on reset instruction concerning the power supplyvoltage to be output from said power supply circuit or a resetinstruction to be output from said watchdog timer circuit, and acommunication interface circuit coupled to said microcomputer and to anetwork bus, wherein said watchdog timer circuit comprises a timercircuit for counting a count clock signal from its initial value, formaking a count value be initialized based on a timer refresh instructionto be externally input thereto and for outputting the reset instructionwhen the count value reaches a time-out value, and a timer controlcircuit for loading a predetermined data signal as externally inputthereto in synchronization with the timer refresh instruction, forholding therein a sequentially loaded latest multi-bit data signal asreference data, for inhibiting a count clock signal counting operationperformed by said timer circuit on condition that the reference databeing held is consonant with a predefined pattern, that an operationmode instruction with respect to said communication interface circuit isa standby instruction and that a switch state of said switch circuitindicates turn-off, and for restarting the count clock signal countingoperation of said timer circuit on condition that the reference databeing held becomes inconsonant with the predefined pattern, that theoperation mode instruction relative to said communication interfacecircuit is changed to an activation instruction or that the switch stateof said switch circuit is changed to turn-on while the countingoperation is being inhibited, and wherein said microcomputer executes alow power consumption command to thereby give said power IC a clockchange corresponding to a bit number of the reference data by means ofthe timer refresh instruction and supplies a data signal correspondingto said predefined pattern in sync with the clock change and then goesinto a low power consumption state.
 17. The watchdog monitor systemaccording to claim 16, wherein said microcomputer outputs as thepredetermined data signal a signal which does not become the same in allbits of the multiple bits, and wherein said timer control circuit givessaid reset circuit the reset instruction when detecting that saidpredetermined data signal has in succession the same logical value withrespect to a string of the multiple bits.
 18. The watchdog monitorsystem according to claim 17, wherein said microcomputer is reset inresponse to receipt of the external reset signal to be output from saidreset circuit, thereby to start outputting of the data signal in syncwith the timer refresh instruction.